what would you recommend?

[whiteoakbuck]

what would you recommend for broadheads for a new to archery shooter? fixed? expandable? cut on contact? my buddie will be shooting 60lb draw with 28" 398gr arrows I suggested a tough 100gr fixed blade head and alot of target practice before fall rolls around

[The General]

Rage are the only brand I'd use.  Expandable.

[dakids]

rage

[stevejedlenski]

rage, they shoot same as field tips. No need to sight in after changing.

[nontypicalhunter]

Definitely some form of mechanical, now days everyone is to lazy to take the time and fine tune/resight their bows in for the flight difference of a fixed blade head. It's soooooo much easier to just throw a expandable on and call it good. Keep it as simple as possible for the guy. Don't want to make anything more complicated than it has to be for him. I myself prefer the good old cut on contact, i have shot many, many different broadheads over the years, everything from expandables to fixed to cut on contact. I bet I have spent more on broadheads over the years than most spent on their whole archery rig. Some I have gone back and used again, some I have thrown right in the garbage after taking an animal. Pretty much boils down to common sense, know your limitations, know your gear and set yourself a shot distance limit and DO NOT exceed that limit. Pretty much anything shot out of newer archery gear is going to kill an animal, as long as the arrow hits where it's supposed to. 

[Boar]

im a mechanical guy, with the KISS aproach, keep it simple stupid Rage, blood runners, slick tricks are all good brands, dont get them at wally world, stick with the proshops, wally gets the bottom of the barrel heads that are to good to throw away but not good enough for the proshops, granted i heard this from some guy on a forum that said he worked for a name brand head company but who knows.
the packs come with a practice head to so thats convienent. and right if I had time to adjust fixed bladed heads id be shooting magnus stinger, Nudge for Pres.

[The General]

Definitely some form of mechanical, now days everyone is to lazy to take the time and fine tune/resight their bows in for the flight difference of a fixed blade head. It's soooooo much easier to just throw a expandable on and call it good. Keep it as simple as possible for the guy. Don't want to make anything more complicated than it has to be for him. I myself prefer the good old cut on contact, i have shot many, many different broadheads over the years, everything from expandables to fixed to cut on contact. I bet I have spent more on broadheads over the years than most spent on their whole archery rig. Some I have gone back and used again, some I have thrown right in the garbage after taking an animal. Pretty much boils down to common sense, know your limitations, know your gear and set yourself a shot distance limit and DO NOT exceed that limit. Pretty much anything shot out of newer archery gear is going to kill an animal, as long as the arrow hits where it's supposed to. 

Lazy????  I think I could come up with a different word.  I'd call it smart.  People are too smart these days to waste time with anything but an expandable.  With today's equipment the days of oh you need to practice up a storm to be a holier then though archery hunter are gone.  My old bow had one pin for 0 to 30 yards and maybe had a a half inch drop at 30.  Not having shot that bow now for 3 years I could walk over to the neighbors and pick up that bow walk out to the target and put it in the kill zone tomorrow.  It's for sure not like when I first started and had 5 pins from 0 to 40 yards.  Nothing wrong with going out and shooting a 1000 arrows a month but it sure isn't being lazy if you don't shoot a fixed blade. 

[Boar]

yeah good point, I practice in my back yard with my daughter for a half hour or so every other day working more on form an feild shooting senarios. we bothe know we can hit a quarter if we want to, its the repetitous form to practice that I want her mind to internalize that it becomes natural. getting excited, motorcycles an an back yard arrow chuckin!

[nontypicalhunter]

Definitely some form of mechanical, now days everyone is to lazy to take the time and fine tune/resight their bows in for the flight difference of a fixed blade head. It's soooooo much easier to just throw a expandable on and call it good. Keep it as simple as possible for the guy. Don't want to make anything more complicated than it has to be for him. I myself prefer the good old cut on contact, i have shot many, many different broadheads over the years, everything from expandables to fixed to cut on contact. I bet I have spent more on broadheads over the years than most spent on their whole archery rig. Some I have gone back and used again, some I have thrown right in the garbage after taking an animal. Pretty much boils down to common sense, know your limitations, know your gear and set yourself a shot distance limit and DO NOT exceed that limit. Pretty much anything shot out of newer archery gear is going to kill an animal, as long as the arrow hits where it's supposed to. 

Lazy????  I think I could come up with a different word.  I'd call it smart.  People are too smart these days to waste time with anything but an expandable.  With today's equipment the days of oh you need to practice up a storm to be a holier then though archery hunter are gone.  My old bow had one pin for 0 to 30 yards and maybe had a a half inch drop at 30.  Not having shot that bow now for 3 years I could walk over to the neighbors and pick up that bow walk out to the target and put it in the kill zone tomorrow.  It's for sure not like when I first started and had 5 pins from 0 to 40 yards.  Nothing wrong with going out and shooting a 1000 arrows a month but it sure isn't being lazy if you don't shoot a fixed blade. 

You call it smart, I call it lazy. Nothing replaces shooting everyday and perfecting your form, fine tuning your equipment and just down right becoming a great shot with your bow. And as far as putting one in the kill-zone goes, I know of far to many people who consider the kill-zone anywhere in the front half of a deer, heck, I know of people who think just hitting a deer anywhere is going to kill it. Shoot whatever makes you happy. But I can say I have NEVER heard a person complain of the job a fixed blade head does to an animal, and you can find thousands of complaints on mechanicals. BTW. Every single person I have personally spoke with that shoot a mechanical has said they switched because it's allot easier to just throw one on and go hunting and not have to worry about resighting their bow if they were to shoot a fixed blade. That to me equals lazy. But what would you expect from a society that is accustomed to having everything handed to them and having to put forth as little effort as possible for anything. I am not saying anyone in particular or pointing fingers to single out anyone. We are all entitled to our own opinions, thought and feelings. That is one of the great things we have left in the country.

P.S. Fixed blades out perform mechanicals anyday of the week! 

[whiteoakbuck]

what would you recommend for broadheads for a new to archery shooter? fixed? expandable? cut on contact? my buddie will be shooting 60lb draw with 28" 398gr arrows I suggested a tough 100gr fixed blade head and alot of target practice before fall rolls around

I guess i should have added a lot a practice and time tuning them too shoot right i've never heard anyone say their fixed failed to open most guys complain they don't fly right but as nontypicall said if you take the time to tune them they will fly anyway you want them too.

[HD]

I'm a fixed blade fan. I have used expandables, just perfer fixed.

[The General]

Definitely some form of mechanical, now days everyone is to lazy to take the time and fine tune/resight their bows in for the flight difference of a fixed blade head. It's soooooo much easier to just throw a expandable on and call it good. Keep it as simple as possible for the guy. Don't want to make anything more complicated than it has to be for him. I myself prefer the good old cut on contact, i have shot many, many different broadheads over the years, everything from expandables to fixed to cut on contact. I bet I have spent more on broadheads over the years than most spent on their whole archery rig. Some I have gone back and used again, some I have thrown right in the garbage after taking an animal. Pretty much boils down to common sense, know your limitations, know your gear and set yourself a shot distance limit and DO NOT exceed that limit. Pretty much anything shot out of newer archery gear is going to kill an animal, as long as the arrow hits where it's supposed to. 

Lazy????  I think I could come up with a different word.  I'd call it smart.  People are too smart these days to waste time with anything but an expandable.  With today's equipment the days of oh you need to practice up a storm to be a holier then though archery hunter are gone.  My old bow had one pin for 0 to 30 yards and maybe had a a half inch drop at 30.  Not having shot that bow now for 3 years I could walk over to the neighbors and pick up that bow walk out to the target and put it in the kill zone tomorrow.  It's for sure not like when I first started and had 5 pins from 0 to 40 yards.  Nothing wrong with going out and shooting a 1000 arrows a month but it sure isn't being lazy if you don't shoot a fixed blade. 

You call it smart, I call it lazy. Nothing replaces shooting everyday and perfecting your form, fine tuning your equipment and just down right becoming a great shot with your bow. And as far as putting one in the kill-zone goes, I know of far to many people who consider the kill-zone anywhere in the front half of a deer, heck, I know of people who think just hitting a deer anywhere is going to kill it. Shoot whatever makes you happy. But I can say I have NEVER heard a person complain of the job a fixed blade head does to an animal, and you can find thousands of complaints on mechanicals. BTW. Every single person I have personally spoke with that shoot a mechanical has said they switched because it's allot easier to just throw one on and go hunting and not have to worry about resighting their bow if they were to shoot a fixed blade. That to me equals lazy. But what would you expect from a society that is accustomed to having everything handed to them and having to put forth as little effort as possible for anything. I am not saying anyone in particular or pointing fingers to single out anyone. We are all entitled to our own opinions, thought and feelings. That is one of the great things we have left in the country.

P.S. Fixed blades out perform mechanicals anyday of the week! 

Well now you can say someone switched from thunderhead fixed blade to rage mechanical because they flat out perform a fixed blade and the blood trail a rage 2 blade leaves beats that of any fixed blade I have ever used.  Yes what is great about this country is we have our opinion but calling people names because they don't use what you think they should or shoot their bows as often as you do is not very nice. 

[dew2]

 I am fixed blade also.Never tried expandables.I use a compound and recurve.I like the interchangable arrows.The recurve dont have the poop to even think of trying them!
 

[prosupermag]

I went to expandables so that I had more time to perfect my shooting and not having to take the time to perfect my arrow.  I was constantly trying to turn the fixed blade a little more or a little less so that all of my broad heads were orientated the same to my fletching's so that they all flew the exact same and I could actually sight my bow in without the worry of every one flying just a little different     

but if you are going to shoot expandables shoot s decent one not the cheapest ones you can get and make sure to look them over every season at least to make sure they are functioning properly     but that's just my 2 cents on the subject everyone has there own opinion

[lentz]

Rage 2 blades are supposedly the best on the market but at the same time its whatever floats your boat the best I personally like rage 2 blade chisel tip or muzzy trocar 3 blade fixed as long as the bow is tuned properly there should be no difference in field point to broad head I have tested this with my last bow and current and heard from others as well

the ram cat is a wicked broad head as well for the fixed blade shooters to try

[Cody Gruchow]

Chisel tipped Rage 2 is mine of choice. I am not lazy, I shoot hundreds of arrows a week when the weather allows. but to say someone is lazy because they like expendable's is just ignorant. everyone has there own preference. I for one would rather spend the time shooting and perfecting it then fiddling with my sight..i also practice from a old ladder stand and my climber at different angles and distances, doesn't mean the next guy is wrong because he don't practice like me..everyone has there own preference.... end rant


but rage gives the best blood trail that I have ever seen. I use to be cut on contact but I switched.

[nontypicalhunter]

Chisel tipped Rage 2 is mine of choice. I am not lazy, I shoot hundreds of arrows a week when the weather allows. but to say someone is lazy because they like expendable's is just ignorant. everyone has there own preference. I for one would rather spend the time shooting and perfecting it then fiddling with my sight..i also practice from a old ladder stand and my climber at different angles and distances, doesn't mean the next guy is wrong because he don't practice like me..everyone has there own preference.... end rant


but rage gives the best blood trail that I have ever seen. I use to be cut on contact but I switched.

Sorry for generalizing and coming across as labeling "everyone" who shoots mechanical broadheads as lazy. But I stand by what I said, the MAJORITY of so-called bowhunters shoot a mechanical head for the simple reason that they don't have to put forth effort in resighting the bow in for the flight difference of a fixed blade. Now calling me ignorant, is ignorant. I have dealt with some of the best people in the archery industry and have been lucky enough to learn more from them than allot of people will ever know. I understand that most are not as fortunate as me to be able to shoot a different broadhead every year, I know they get very expensive. Cut on contact has by far the best penetration, Muzzy destroys bones, Rage drains them of blood in milliseconds, Grim Reapers kills them of a heart attack from just being in the general area of the tip.... Blah, blah, blah.... I have heard it all and shot most of them. Bottom line is, a well placed shot with any of them will kill the animal and it doesn't matter what I shoot, what you shoot, what Marvin Waffelhouse or Ben Gordon shoots. You need to know the animal, know your equipment, know your limitations, know what works for you. Take what everyone says with a  grain of salt. Deer have been being killed for thousands of years starting with a sharp rock on a stick, so honestly what the hell does it matter what I or anyone else screws on the end of their arrow? One thing that I agree with, with all the other posts on here, DO NOT  go cheap. You'll regret it and you owe it to the animal to dispatch it as quickly as possible.

[The General]

Apologize for the lazy comment and then call us so-called bow hunters.  Please explain what it takes to be a real bow hunter.

You obviously have a wealth of knowledge on the sport but when you say ignorant comments it's hard to believe the rest.

[Boar]

I like to think of such thigs as technological advancements. I prefer to look at my LOW lakemaster chip an go find 26 ft of water right off the bat an stead of drilling a whole bunch of hole an losing time to fish, same with open water, and boy if i could afforad the tecnology to view my bait site via sattleight without have to hauling buckets an haul out bucks when I find the crib hasnt been hit, and trails cams in areas where deer are traveling or not. and how nice it is to sit in my ice castle instead of an old blue tarped fold down or actually sitting out in the open. no doubt tecnology has come along way from when I first started to hunt an fish, an things are starting to get crazy with tecnology. but it sure makes things more enjoyable most times.

[Cody Gruchow]

throwing it out there that im not attacking anyone just giving my opinion.  you seem to be very knowledgeable but at the same time a little condescending in your post. I will however agree 100% with you that it does not matter the slightest of what kind of broadhead you shoot or what bow you shoot if you do not take good shots and you wound deer.

[nontypicalhunter]

Definitely some form of mechanical, now days everyone is to lazy to take the time and fine tune/resight their bows in for the flight difference of a fixed blade head. It's soooooo much easier to just throw a expandable on and call it good. Keep it as simple as possible for the guy. Don't want to make anything more complicated than it has to be for him. I myself prefer the good old cut on contact, i have shot many, many different broadheads over the years, everything from expandables to fixed to cut on contact. I bet I have spent more on broadheads over the years than most spent on their whole archery rig. Some I have gone back and used again, some I have thrown right in the garbage after taking an animal. Pretty much boils down to common sense, know your limitations, know your gear and set yourself a shot distance limit and DO NOT exceed that limit. Pretty much anything shot out of newer archery gear is going to kill an animal, as long as the arrow hits where it's supposed to. 

Lazy????  I think I could come up with a different word.  I'd call it smart.  People are too smart these days to waste time with anything but an expandable.  With today's equipment the days of oh you need to practice up a storm to be a holier then though archery hunter are gone.  My old bow had one pin for 0 to 30 yards and maybe had a a half inch drop at 30.  Not having shot that bow now for 3 years I could walk over to the neighbors and pick up that bow walk out to the target and put it in the kill zone tomorrow.  It's for sure not like when I first started and had 5 pins from 0 to 40 yards.  Nothing wrong with going out and shooting a 1000 arrows a month but it sure isn't being lazy if you don't shoot a fixed blade. 

Kind of sounds like you're saying the same thing I have said, but advocating for the mechanicals. You yourself stated that people are to "smart" to shoot anything but them. If I read into what you said here, I take away the a fixed blade shooter is to stupid to know better. You come across as a guy, this is based off what you posted here, as a guy who puts more confidence and reliance into his equipment than your actual skill as a hunter. Personally, I feel they go hand in hand, your skill confidence and the confidence in your equipment. You said it yourself, "the days of practicing up a storm are gone". What does that tell people starting out archery hunting? I can practice, but my equipment will more than make up for me not practicing and perfecting my form and knowing my equipment? I suppose though, being that kind of an archer always leaves a person an out when an animal is wounded and lost. "My equipment must not have been doing the job it was supposed to be."  So, calling someone not as smart of a hunter for not shooting a mechanical head, is no different than me generalizing the majority of mechanical heads shooter as being lazy.


P.S. I would like to apologize to Whiteoakbuck for:
1. Getting off topic
2. Being condescending and my backhanded comments.
3. The General taking everything I posted personally (I'm sure he is a good guy)
And lastly, for all the Rage shooters having false faith in their broadhead.


Kidding! Guys! There is allot of good advice in these posts, shoot whatever makes you happy! When it comes to broadheads, it's always going to be the Ford vs. Chevy vs. Dodge argument.

[deadeye]

I've been reading this with some interest because I currently shoot fixed blades but was planning to switch to a two blade rage this fall. My reason for shooting fixed blades is I got a crap pot full of them with a used bow I purchased 5 years ago and haven't run out yet.  The fixed blades I shoot do indeed fly differently than field points.  I have a couple I just use for sighting in so during hunting my field points are "off target" but I know that and just try to get them in the same spot regardless of my aiming point.  I have not been impressed with the blood trails from the deer I have taken with fixed blades.  Most of the deer I shot were found without a blood trail. I have never shot one with a mechanical so I don't have any experience there.     

[The General]

Definitely some form of mechanical, now days everyone is to lazy to take the time and fine tune/resight their bows in for the flight difference of a fixed blade head. It's soooooo much easier to just throw a expandable on and call it good. Keep it as simple as possible for the guy. Don't want to make anything more complicated than it has to be for him. I myself prefer the good old cut on contact, i have shot many, many different broadheads over the years, everything from expandables to fixed to cut on contact. I bet I have spent more on broadheads over the years than most spent on their whole archery rig. Some I have gone back and used again, some I have thrown right in the garbage after taking an animal. Pretty much boils down to common sense, know your limitations, know your gear and set yourself a shot distance limit and DO NOT exceed that limit. Pretty much anything shot out of newer archery gear is going to kill an animal, as long as the arrow hits where it's supposed to. 

Lazy????  I think I could come up with a different word.  I'd call it smart.  People are too smart these days to waste time with anything but an expandable.  With today's equipment the days of oh you need to practice up a storm to be a holier then though archery hunter are gone.  My old bow had one pin for 0 to 30 yards and maybe had a a half inch drop at 30.  Not having shot that bow now for 3 years I could walk over to the neighbors and pick up that bow walk out to the target and put it in the kill zone tomorrow.  It's for sure not like when I first started and had 5 pins from 0 to 40 yards.  Nothing wrong with going out and shooting a 1000 arrows a month but it sure isn't being lazy if you don't shoot a fixed blade. 

Kind of sounds like you're saying the same thing I have said, but advocating for the mechanicals. You yourself stated that people are to "smart" to shoot anything but them. If I read into what you said here, I take away the a fixed blade shooter is to stupid to know better. You come across as a guy, this is based off what you posted here, as a guy who puts more confidence and reliance into his equipment than your actual skill as a hunter. Personally, I feel they go hand in hand, your skill confidence and the confidence in your equipment. You said it yourself, "the days of practicing up a storm are gone". What does that tell people starting out archery hunting? I can practice, but my equipment will more than make up for me not practicing and perfecting my form and knowing my equipment? I suppose though, being that kind of an archer always leaves a person an out when an animal is wounded and lost. "My equipment must not have been doing the job it was supposed to be."  So, calling someone not as smart of a hunter for not shooting a mechanical head, is no different than me generalizing the majority of mechanical heads shooter as being lazy.


P.S. I would like to apologize to Whiteoakbuck for:
1. Getting off topic
2. Being condescending and my backhanded comments.
3. The General taking everything I posted personally (I'm sure he is a good guy)
And lastly, for all the Rage shooters having false faith in their broadhead.


Kidding! Guys! There is allot of good advice in these posts, shoot whatever makes you happy! When it comes to broadheads, it's always going to be the Ford vs. Chevy vs. Dodge argument.

Based off of what I posted I would think you would take out I shoot rage and don't like to be called lazy or a so-called bow hunter.  My "smart" comment was sarcastic and trying to make a point.  For all  I know you graduated top of your class at MIT.

[Boar]

Its hard for me not trust a mechanical, Took my first archery kill on a bear with NAP spit fire, my daughter took her first bear with the rage two blade, I also have taken a bear with the rage two blade, allthree bear were recoverd with in fifty yeards of the bait, my daughters bear went less than 20 an I watched it tip over. These animals have heavy bones holding them together an i cant argue with the facts that are presented to me. If it aint broke dont fix it.

[The General]

I've been reading this with some interest because I currently shoot fixed blades but was planning to switch to a two blade rage this fall. My reason for shooting fixed blades is I got a crap pot full of them with a used bow I purchased 5 years ago and haven't run out yet.  The fixed blades I shoot do indeed fly differently than field points.  I have a couple I just use for sighting in so during hunting my field points are "off target" but I know that and just try to get them in the same spot regardless of my aiming point.  I have not been impressed with the blood trails from the deer I have taken with fixed blades.  Most of the deer I shot were found without a blood trail. I have never shot one with a mechanical so I don't have any experience there.     

Make the switch.  You won't have to worry about not having a blood trail unless of course you make a bad shot.  Two years ago my buddy shot one right through the guts.  It was a terrible shot.  He said the deer ran a 20 yard circle and dropped dead at the base of the tree.  Those entrance and exit holes are massive.  The last two deer I've shot any one could have followed.

[Cody Gruchow]

I switched because I fell in love with how the rage performed. the last 3 deer ive shot with them have traveled less then 40 yards each. yes it helps that I don't have to worry about changing my sights so I have more practice time. but the deer fall as if they been shot with a bullet.

[duckbuck90]

this post was about me... now i am new to archery and it has taken me a long time to shoot the way i do now. taking my time finding the right broadhead the right sight rest, ext... is what you need to do i don't care what anyone says about this new technology we have, you can not just go pick up a bow arrows any broadhead out there and think its going to payoff it takes time and Patience. I for one like the muzzy mx-4 but i also like the hyperdermics from rage both fly great out off my set up. but its all about what you like to shoot. 

[mathews4ever]

I'm a big muzzy fan, but the MX line from muzzy are junk. They have a lot of planing issues. If you want to shoot a short fixed blade I would suggest the slick trick. Hands down the sharpest broadhead out of the package. With that said I shoot Grim Reapers and really like them. They have a much cooler name than rage.

[nontypicalhunter]

this post was about me... now i am new to archery and it has taken me a long time to shoot the way i do now. taking my time finding the right broadhead the right sight rest, ext... is what you need to do i don't care what anyone says about this new technology we have, you can not just go pick up a bow arrows any broadhead out there and think its going to payoff it takes time and Patience. I for one like the muzzy mx-4 but i also like the hyperdermics from rage both fly great out off my set up. but its all about what you like to shoot. 

Well, lucky for you whiteoakbuck has the privilege of knowing someone who is very well educated and experienced in the field of archery hunting.  Namely ME!!!   

[aschlader09]

Its absolutely not about laziness when it comes to fixed blade or mechanical for me. I killed my first deer at 12 with a 1980's Jennings compound, heavy aluminum shafts and a large fixed blade. I continued shooting fixed blades even after I started using todays technologically advances bows, carbon arrows, sights and rests. I killed a good number of deer with them. Eventually a member of our deer camp convinced me to try some spitfire mechanicals and grim reaper mechanicals after raving about massive blood trails and devastating wound channels. I tried them with my pse x-force dream season evo set at 70 pounds. Yes they required almost no tuning and shot accurately right out of the box, I saw this as an advantage. But what made me swith over to those two mechanicals permanently was seeing how quickly and efficiently they killed the animal after the hit. Not only are blood trails much easier to follow, but I typically don't even have to. I shoot on average 5 deer a year because I hunt in multiple states most or all in a given year are bow kills. In my experience with spitfire and grim reaper mechanicals out of my setup, I watch at least 4 out of 5 deer I shoot expire from my stand or blind. There is rarely ever any tracking as long as you hit heart or lungs. I am surprised if a deer makes it past 50 yards from the hit. That is why I switched to mechanical. A much quicker, efficient kill and easier tracking and dragging. All advantages over my experience with fixed blades. Had nothing to do with laziness and everything to do with superb performance. Everyone has their own preference though. Continue the tradition gentlemen.